Disposable printer

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to printing apparatus and particularly, but not exclusively, to printing apparatus for use with personal computers and portable computing devices (such as laptops). The invention provides a printer chassis ( 8 ) manufactured from a disposable and biodegradable material. A further aspect of the invention provides a printer assembly comprising the aforementioned chassis ( 8 ) and at least one sheet of paper ( 10 ) to be printed, said paper (10) being located within the chassis. The invention thereby provides a printer which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and convenient to use.

The present invention relates to printing apparatus and particularly,but not exclusively, to printing apparatus for use with personalcomputers and portable computing devices (such as laptops).

Printing devices are now widely used in connection with desk top andlaptop personal computers, and personal digital assistants. There aremany types of printers available ranging from relatively sophisticatedand expensive laser printers to more basic and less expensive ink jetprinters. It will be appreciated that printers use consumable items suchas paper and ink which must be periodically replaced in order for theprinter to continue functioning. This can be particularly inconvenientin circumstances where a printer is to be transported and used at atemporary location in connection with, for example, a laptop computer.In these circumstances, the normal source of replacement paper and inkwill generally not be readily available and, if either the paper or inkin the printer is exhausted, then the printer will often be rendereduseless.

It will also be appreciated that large quantities of paper and ink areused by printers in computer related applications and this leads to alarge quantity of material waste associated with the packaging for thereplacement paper and ink. This packaging increases the costs associatedwith running a printer and, unless the packaging is of a suitablematerial, the heavy use of printing paper and ink can have an adverseaffect on the environment. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that thecost of a conventional printer is in no small part due to the relativelycomplex construction of the printer chassis which is generally made ofsheet metal encapsulated by a fascia made from an injection mouldedplastics material. This relatively expensive component merely serves toprovide a base upon which the components essential for undertaking theprinting function are mounted. The chassis itself may be considered tohave a secondary function which perhaps does not justify the expenseassociated with its manufacture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved printerwhich is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and convenient to use.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a printer chassismanufactured from a disposable and biodegradable material.

The chassis is preferably manufactured from pulp fibre. The chassis mayalso comprise a honeycomb construction. It is particularly desirable foran outer surface of the chassis to be covered in a waterproofingmaterial. This waterproofing material may completely encapsulate thechassis. Furthermore, a line of perforations may be provided in thewaterproofing material adjacent an aperture in the chassis, a portion ofsaid waterproofing material covering said aperture and said line ofweakness extending around said aperture so as to allow ready removal ofsaid portion of material. Ideally, the waterproofing material is bondedto the chassis and is preferably of wax paper.

The chassis may comprise means for mounting on the chassis a motor fordriving relative movement between a printer head and paper to beprinted. The aforementioned means for mounting a motor may comprisemeans for releasably securing a motor to the chassis. The releasablesecuring means ideally comprises a resilient snap lock clip. It isparticularly desirable for said means for mounting a motor to comprise arail slider upon which, in use, a motor may be located and slid into ause position. Also, an electrical connector may be mounted on thechassis so as to receive and electrically connect with a furtherelectrical connector mounted on a motor housing located in a useposition relative to the chassis, the printer further comprising aprinter head electrically connected to said chassis mounted electricalconnector.

The chassis may further comprise means for mounting on the chassis aprinter head. The aforementioned means for mounting a printer head maycomprise means for releasably securing a printer head to the chassis.Preferably, the means for securing a printer head comprises a resilientsnap lock clip. The chassis may comprise a printer head. Ideally, thechassis comprises means for mounting on the chassis a scanner head forscanning documents.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a printer assemblycomprising the aforementioned chassis and further comprising at leastone sheet of paper to be printed, said paper being located within thechassis. The printer assembly preferably comprises between 50 and 150sheets of paper.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a printer comprising achassis or printer assembly as hereinbefore described.

It will be understood therefore that the present invention provides aprinter wherein the chassis is disposable and biodegradable. The chassisof any printer essentially performs a secondary function of providingsupport for both the paper to be printed and the components used duringthe printing process (such as the stepper motor, control/power PCBs,printer head and drive train associated with the motor). In view of thissecondary function, in the present invention the chassis may bemanufactured from relatively inexpensive materials using inexpensiveprocesses and may be replaced as a disposable item. In other words, inaccordance with the present invention, replacement paper and ink may beprovided in a single package together with a disposable andbiodegradable printer chassis. The printer chassis may itself form thepackaging for the paper and ink. The chassis itself may be provided withappropriate mounting means for receiving primary components associatedwith a printer. These primary components are generally the moreexpensive components which do not need to be frequently replaced and maytherefore be re-used once the paper and ink has been exhausted. Oncesuitable access apertures have been opened in the chassis of the presentinvention, the primary components may be located in position so as tocomplete the printer facility and allow connection to a computer andsubsequent printing of documents.

Generally, the quantity of ink supplied in the ink/paper/chassiscombination will be just sufficient to print the quantity of papersupplied. In other words, if 100 sheets of paper are supplied in thepackage, then the ink supplied in the printer head will be sufficient toprint this number of pages without leaving an undesirably high andwasteful quantity of ink after the paper supply has been exhausted.Ideally, exhaustion of the paper and ink supplies should coincide. Inthis way, ink and paper waste is minimised.

Once the ink and paper supply has been exhausted, the primary componentsof the printer may be released and removed from the chassis. The chassisand empty printer head may then be disposed of. The primary componentsmay then be reused together with a further ink/paper/chassiscombination. Indeed, it may be that the chassis can be returned to themanufacturer for reconditioning and subsequent resale.

It will be understood that the present invention provides the advantagesof a printing system which is relatively inexpensive to use. A printermay be purchased with the primary components installed and, due to thedisposable nature of the printer chassis, the overall package will beconsiderably less expensive than a conventional printer. When the paperand ink sources are exhausted, the user purchases replacement sources,the packaging of which forms a chassis for mounting the primary printercomponents. The packaging for the paper and ink is not therefore wasted.Also, because the ink is supplied in sufficient quantity to print allsupplied sheets of paper, the user may refer to the number of sheetsremaining and decide whether or not this quantity is sufficient withoutconcerning himself with the remaining supply of ink. This makes thepresent invention of particular use as a portable system.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a printer according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of the printer of FIG. 1Aconnected to a laptop personal computer,

FIG. 1C is a partial schematic perspective view of the printer of FIG.1A wherein wax paper on the printer chassis is partly removed;

FIG. 2A is a partial schematic perspective view of the upstanding wallsof the chassis of the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a partial schematic perspective view of the base of thechassis of the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view along the lines Z-Z shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 3A is a partial schematic perspective view of a paper heightadjustment mechanism of the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a schematic plan view of the printer head transverse sliderof the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the printer head vertical slider ofthe printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3D is a schematic side view of counter rotating paper manipulationrollers of the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3E is a schematic plan view of the printer head longitudinal sliderof the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of the printer shown in FIG. 1with a stepper motor and power/control PCBs assembly engaged therewith;

FIG. 4B is a composite view of the motor and power/control PCBs assemblyand components associated therewith;

FIG. 4C is a schematic end view of a motor drive sprocket; and

FIG. 4D is a schematic side view of the drive sprocket of FIG. 4Cmounted on the drive shaft of the motor shown in FIG. 4B.

A printer 2 according to the present invention is shown in an assembledstate in FIG. 1B of the accompanying drawings. The printer 2 is shown inFIG. 1B connected to a laptop personal computer 4. The electricalconnection between the printer 2 and the laptop 4 is made via a motorand control/power PCBs assembly 6 which is releasably secured to achassis 8 of the printer 2. Although the printer 2 is shown in FIG. 1lying to one side of the laptop 4, the chassis 8 of the printer 2 may beprovided with suitable snap lock clips (or other securing means) forreleasably securing the chassis 8 to a surface (preferably the bottomsurface) of the laptop computer 4.

The chassis 8 of the printer 2 is shown in FIG. 1A, The motor andpower/control PCBs assembly 6 is not attached to the chassis 8 in FIG.1A. Although the printer 2 may be sold in practice as an assembledfunctioning printer, it is anticipated that the chassis alone (togetherwith certain consumable components) as shown in FIG. 1A will generallybe purchased by a user. The motor assembly 6 can be transferred fromchassis to chassis as required.

Preferably, the chassis 8 is provided with components which cangenerally be regarded as consumable during use of a printer. The chassis8 therefore is provided with a quantity of paper 10 to be printed(typically between 50 and 150 sheets), colour and black ink cartridges12, 14 and a power source (for example 2 ×9v batteries 16). Exhaustionof these components ideally coincides at the end of life of the printer.In order for the chassis 8 to be readily usable by a purchaser, the inkcartridges 12, 14 are provided mounted on a transverse slider 18 and areconnected to appropriate electrical circuitry by means of a standardribbon cable 20. One or more USB or other data ports 22 may also beprovided as deemed necessary. The chassis 8 may also be provided withdrive train sprockets/belts for lining the motor assembly 6 to the inkcartridges 12, 14 and counter rotating rollers 24 (see FIG. 3D) formanipulating the paper 10. However, it will be appreciated that thesecomponents are not consumable and, accordingly, their provision with thechassis 8 itself should be minimised. Ideally, these components shouldbe removably secured to the chassis 8 so that, once the consumablecomponents have been exhausted, they may be removed from the chassis 8and used with a new chassis.

With reference to FIG. 1A, it can be seen that the body 26 of thechassis 8 is provided with both a paper aperture 28 (through whichprinted paper may be ejected) and a motor assembly aperture 30 (to whichthe motor assembly 6 may be located and secured). It will also be seenwith reference to FIG. 1A that the chassis body 26 has a large aperture32 in its upper surface. This large aperture 32 provides full access tothe interior of the chassis 8.

The chassis body 26 is manufactured from a disposable and biodegradablematerial (for example, recycled natural pulp fibre). The outer surfaceof this material is coated with wax paper 34 so as to ensure the chassis8 remains impervious to the ingress of water. Indeed, the chassisapertures 28, 30, 32 are also covered by the wax paper 34 so that thechassis body 26 is completely encapsulated by the waterproofing material(see FIG. 1C). Of course, prior to use of the chassis 8, the portions ofwaterproofing material covering the apertures 28, 30, 32 must be removedand this task is assisted by providing the waterproofing material with aperforated or scored line about each aperture and along which thewaterproofing material may be readily torn. If the chassis 8 is providedwith USB ports, then these should also be covered in the waterproofingmaterial.

Just as the paper, ink and power supplies of the chassis 8 areconsumable, the chassis body 26 is itself intended to be consumableinasmuch as it is manufactured from materials and using processes whichrender the chassis body sufficiently inexpensive for a user to be ableto simply discard it once the paper, ink and power supplies have beenexhausted. Nevertheless, the chassis body 26 must have sufficientstructural integrity to perform its function of housing the paper supplyand providing a base upon which the motor assembly and ink cartridges(ie printer heads) can be mounted. To this end, the chassis body 26 maybe press moulded with production steel and gauze dyes. A person skilledin production engineering will be familiar with this and other suitablemanufacturing techniques. The structure of the chassis body 26 is alsodesigned in such a way as to maximise bending resistance. For example, ahoneycomb construction is provided for the base of the chassis body 28whilst diagonal cross members may be used to further strengthen thestructure. The thickness of the pulp fibre material used in constructingthe body 28 is also varied and is increased at points of high stress.Optimisation of the construction may be achieved with Finite ElementAnalysis so as to minimise the volume of material used.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C, it will be seen that, inthe embodiment described herein, the chassis body 26 is assembled fromtwo separate components. The first of these components is the peripheralupstanding side walls 36 in which the paper and motor assembly apertures28, 30 are provided. A partial view of the side walls 36 taken from therear of the chassis 8 (ie from the end opposite to the end provided withthe paper aperture 28) is shown in FIG. 2A. It will be seen that theinterior and exterior vertical surfaces of the side walls 36 areprovided with diagonal cross members 38 projecting therefrom. Thesecross members assist in providing the chassis 8 with the required degreeof rigidity. The side walls 36 are also provided with verticallyextending buttress members 40 which extend from the inner surface 42 ofthe side walls 36. On the exterior surface 44 of the side walls 36opposite each buttress member 40, the side walls 36 are sculptedinwardly and provided with an aperture 46 (or recess) for receiving oneof a plurality of snap fit members 48 provided on the second component(see FIG. 2B) of the chassis 8. The location of a snap fit member 48within an aperture 46 is shown in FIG. 2C.

The second component of the chassis 8 is a substantially planar member50 which forms the base of the chassis 8. With reference to FIG. 2B, itwill be seen that the planar member 50 is provided with diagonal crossmembers 52 projecting from the upper surface of the member 50 so as toincrease resistance to bending loads. The peripheral edge of the base isprovided with a plurality of upstanding elements 54 positioned so as tolocate within the aforementioned sculpted portions of the side walls 36.Each element 54 is resiliently flexible so that a snap fit member 48provided thereon may snap fit into a corresponding aperture 46 in theside walls 36 when the side walls 36 and planar member 50 are locatedtogether. The upper surface of the planar member 50 is also providedwith upwardly projecting members 58 for receiving and retaining in arequired position paper 10 to be printed.

Although the snap fit members 48 will retain the two components of thechassis 8 together, the strength of the connection may be increased byuse of a suitable adhesive.

The mechanisms for manipulating the paper 10 and ink cartridges 12, 14with the motor assembly 6 are shown in the views of FIG. 3. Theoperation of such mechanisms will be readily apparent to a readerskilled in the art and suitable alternatives and improvements may beimplemented whilst remaining within the scope of the invention. Ideally,as much of the aforementioned mechanisms as possible should beconveniently releasable from the chassis body 26 and transferable to afurther chassis body. In this way, the mechanisms may be reused so as toreduce the cost of the chassis 8. The mechanisms may be releasablesecured to the chassis body 26 by means of snap fit fasteners. Thedetails of such fasteners will again be readily apparent to readersskilled in the art.

With reference to FIG. 3A, a mechanism is shown for adjusting the heightof the paper relative to the printer head (ie ink cartridges 12, 14).Thus, as the paper source is depleted and the level of the upper sheetof paper lowers, the ink cartridges 12, 14 may be indexed downwardly.Alternatively, the mechanism of FIG. 3A may be used to raise the heightof the entire paper source or lower the counter rotating rollers 24 sothat they may grasp an upper sheet of paper and feed it upwardly towardsthe ink cartridges 12, 14. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG.3A, the transverse slider 18 for the ink cartridges 12, 14 is releasablesecured at one end, by means of a snap fit clip 60, to the verticallymoveable rack 62 of a rack and pinion assembly 64. The rack and pinionassembly 64 is releasable secured to the chassis body 26 by means ofsnap fit clips 66. Alternatively, the assembly 64 may be screwed to thechassis body 26 and washers may be suitably located to spread theassociated load. The pinion 68 of the assembly 64 is driven by a geartrain 70 mounted to the chassis body 26. The gear train 70 is itselfdriven by a sprocket 72 mounted on the drive shaft 74 of a stepper motor76 (see the views of FIG. 4). The rack and pinion assembly 64 maycomprise nylon Zintec sliders.

The vertical movement of the printer head (ink cartridges 12, 14) by theassembly 64 is shown by the arrow 78 of FIG. 3C. The transverse movementof the printer head across the width of the paper 10 is shown by arrow80 of FIG. 3B. Relative movement of the printer head along the length ofthe paper 10 may be achieved either by rotation of the rollers 24 (asshown in FIG. 3D) so as to move the paper relative to the chassis body26 or, in an alternative embodiment, by moving the printer head relativeto the chassis body 26 as shown by arrow 82 in FIG. 3E.

The mechanisms shown in the views of FIG. 3 are driven by a steppermotor 76 (or by two or more stepper motors).

The views of FIG. 4 show the motor and power/control PCBs assembly 6.The assembly 6 comprises a standard stepper motor 76 which is secured toa housing 90 of the assembly 6 by means of four screws 92. The housing90 comprises two rail sliders 94 which are adapted to engage withcorresponding sliders 95 (see FIG. 1C) located on the base of thechassis body 26 adjacent the motor assembly aperture 30. Thus, as theassembly 6 is pressed through the motor assembly aperture 30, the railslider components 94, 95 engage with one another assisting in thecorrect and ready location of the assembly 6 within the chassis body 26.Indeed, as will be seen from FIG. 1C, the chassis body 26 is providedwith an electrical connector 96 for connecting with a mating connector97 on the rear of the motor assembly 6 and the rail slider components94, 95 ensure that this connection is made correctly.

The stepper motor 76 comprises a splined drive shaft 74 for receivingthe motor sprocket 72. Methods of providing a sprocket on the driveshaft of a motor are well understood and any suitable method may be usedin connection with the present invention. However, in the particularembodiment shown in the views of FIG. 4, the splined shaft 74 isprovided with a groove 100 for receiving a tapered circlip 102. Thesprocket 72 is provided with a discontinuity 104 (ie a brake therein)which allows the sprocket 72 to expand as it is pushed onto the shaft 74and over the circlip 102. The taper of the circlip is such that thesprocket may be pushed onto the shaft 74 but, having passed over thecirclip 102, cannot then pass back over the circlip 102. The sprocket 72may be retained in a desired position on the shaft 74 by abutment withthe circlip 102 and a shoulder (not shown) provided on the shaft 74.

The present invention is not limited to the particular embodimentsdescribed above. Alternative arrangements and suitable materials will beapparent to a reader skilled in the art For example, electricalcommunication between the printer head and the control PCB may beachieved by means of a wireless RF link. The motor assembly 6 may alsobe provided with suitable fastening means for releasably securing theassembly to the chassis body 26 once located in a use position. This maybe achieved with suitable snap fit fasteners. The electronic circuitryof the printer may also take power (up to 0.5 Amps) from a computer towhich it is connected via a USB port Furthermore, the printer may alsoinclude a scanner head so that the apparatus can also function as ascanner. The chassis 8 may also be provided with different types ofpaper which may be selected depending upon the type of printing to beundertaken. For example, the chassis 8 may comprise a first paper binfor standard printing paper and a second paper bin for high qualitygloss photographic paper. The control circuitry of the printer will besuch that paper from the appropriate bin will be selected depending uponthe print job. In yet a further alternative, the ink cartridges andtransverse slider may be stored in a folded state for storage andshipment purposes. Prior to use, the cartridges and slider are twistedthrough 90° and snapped into a use position on the chassis body 26.

1. A package of paper comprising a container manufactured from adisposable and biodegradable material; and at least one sheet of paperstored within the interior of the container; wherein the containercomprises mounting means for allowing a releasable attachment to thecontainer of one or more electrical components for printing onto a sheetof paper stored within the container interior; and a portion of thecontainer is movable relative to the remainder of the container so as toopen an access aperture providing access to the container interior so asto allow for said attachment of a component by use of said mountingmeans.
 2. A package of paper as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecontainer is manufactured from pulp fibre.
 3. A package of paper asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a honeycombconstruction.
 4. A package of paper as claimed in claim 1, wherein anouter surface of the container is covered in a waterproofing material.5. A package of paper as claimed in claim 4, wherein said waterproofingmaterial completely encapsulates the container.
 6. A package of paper asclaimed in claim 5, wherein a line of perforations is provided in saidwaterproofing material adjacent an aperture in the container, saidwaterproofing material covering said aperture and said line of weaknessextending around said aperture so as to provide said portion of thecontainer movable relative to the remainder of the container.
 7. Apackage of paper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting meanscomprises a resilient snap lock clip.
 8. A package of paper as claimedin claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises means for mounting amotor to the container.
 9. A package of paper as claimed in claim 8,wherein said means for mounting a motor comprises a rail slider uponwhich a motor may be located and slid into a use position.
 10. A packageof paper as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electrical connector ismounted on the container so as to receive and electrically connect witha further electrical connector mounted on a motor housing located in ause position relative to the container.
 11. A printer chassismanufactured from a disposable and biodegradable material.
 12. A printerchassis as claimed in claim 11, wherein the chassis is manufactured frompulp fibre.
 13. A printer chassis as claimed in claim 11, wherein thechassis comprises a honeycomb construction.
 14. A printer chassis asclaimed in claim 11, wherein an outer surface of the chassis is coveredin a waterproofing material.
 15. A printer chassis as claimed in claim14, wherein said waterproofing material completely encapsulates thechassis.
 16. A printer chassis as claimed in claim 15, wherein a line ofperforations is provided in said waterproofing material adjacent anaperture in the chassis, a portion of said waterproofing materialcovering said aperture and said line of weakness extending around saidaperture so as to allow ready removal of said portion of material.
 17. Aprinter chassis as claimed in claim 14, wherein said waterproofingmaterial is bonded to the chassis.
 18. A printer chassis as claimed inclaim 14, wherein said waterproofing material is wax paper.
 19. Aprinter chassis as claimed in claim 14, further comprising means formounting on the chassis a motor for driving relative movement between aprinter head and paper to be printed.
 20. A printer chassis as claimedin claim 19, wherein said means for mounting a motor comprises means forreleasably securing a motor to the chassis.
 21. A printer chassis asclaimed in claim 20, wherein said releasable securing means comprises aresilient snap lock clip.
 22. A printer chassis as claimed in claim 19,wherein said means for mounting a motor comprises a rail slider uponwhich, in use, a motor may be located and slid into a use position. 23.A printer chassis as claimed in claim 14, wherein an electricalconnector is mounted on the chassis so as to receive and electricallyconnect with a further electrical connector mounted on a motor housinglocated in a use position relative to the chassis, the printer furthercomprising a printer head electrically connected to said chassis mountedelectrical connector.
 24. A printer chassis as claimed in claim 14,further comprising means for mounting on the chassis a printer head. 25.A printer chassis as claimed in claim 24, wherein said means formounting a printer head comprises means for releasably securing aprinter head to the chassis.
 26. A printer chassis as claimed in claim25, wherein said releasable securing means comprises a resilient snaplock clip.
 27. A printer chassis as claimed in claim 14, furthercomprising a printer head.
 28. A printer chassis as claimed in claim 14,further comprising means for mounting on the chassis a scanner head forscanning documents.
 29. A printer assembly comprising a chassis asclaimed in claim 14, further comprising at least one sheet of paper tobe printed, said paper being located within the chassis.
 30. A printerassembly as claimed in claim 29, comprising between 50 and 150 sheets ofpaper.
 31. A printer comprising a chassis as claimed in claim
 11. 32. Aprinter comprising a printer assembly as claimed in claim 29.